Restaurant That Defied Mask Mandate May Get New Owner: Report

GAITHERSBURG, MD — The owner of a Gaithersburg smokehouse — who was recently lambasted for flouting Maryland's mask mandate — says he is considering turning over the restaurant's ownership, WTOP reports.

The Grille at Flower Hill was supposed to reopen on Thursday after someone filed a complaint that restaurant workers were not wearing face masks. The owner, who spoke to WTOP on the condition of anonymity, never reopened the eatery.

"Montgomery County feels as though they need to make an example of someone, and I'm not going to be that person," he told the news outlet, noting that a county health inspector has reached out to him over the COVID-19 violation.

A popular spot for comfort food and late-night snacks, The Grille came under fire earlier this month for ignoring Maryland's mask mandate and telling customers who feel uncomfortable to dine elsewhere. He said he posted the now-deleted Facebook post shortly after a complaint was filed against the restaurant.

Montgomery County officials said they will shut down any business that does not comply with state and county reopening rules.

A health inspector was supposed to visit The Grille after the owner was scheduled to reopen on Thursday.

"I made the decision not to open because I knew it had the potential of being an absolute spectacle," he told WTOP.

It is unclear when The Grille will reopen — and whether staff will wear face masks.

During an interview with the news outlet, the owner said he was considering turning over the restaurant's ownership before the face mask controversy began.

"I've kind of lost the passion for it, it's kind of become a job for me," he said.

When WTOP asked him if he thought COVID-19 was a threat to public health, he cited a claim by President Donald Trump that 99 percent of all cases are harmless.

Montgomery County has the highest number of deaths and the second highest number of confirmed cases in the state, according to the latest figures.

As of Monday, the virus has infected 15,780 people and killed 722.